Patients with COPD often make few complaints despite experiencing considerable disability. As well as the characteristic shortness of breath, the disease is associated with a number of comorbidities that can present major clinical problems. However, with early recognition and intervention, further deterioration can be prevented, and lung function, general health status and functional ability improved. In this fully updated third edition of 'Fast Facts: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease', the authors take a comprehensive look at: • the disease process, its causes and progression • the relationship between asthma and COPD • the investigations used to assess the severity and stage of COPD • the interventions that may reduce the risk of developing COPD • individualized patient management based on clinical features and comorbidities • current clinical guidelines from an international perspective • treatments that reduce symptoms and improve lung function in stable disease • the prevention and management of acute exacerbations • risk factor reduction, primarily through smoking cessation • future diagnostic and therapeutic developments. The easy-to-read, highly accessible format of this practical resource has been designed so that all primary care providers, specialist nurses, junior hospital doctors, paramedics, medical students and other allied healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of COPD can get up to speed on this multifaceted disease, fast! With clear take-home messages, it will also serve as a useful overview for researchers and specialists reading outside their subject area.

Cigarette smoking is one of the most significant preventable causes of death and illness in the world. Given the wide-ranging effects smoking has on many disease processes, it is essential that clinicians understand: • the short- and long-term effects of smoking on the body • the benefits of smoking cessation • why smokers find it difficult to stop • the role of clinicians in promoting and supporting smoking cessation • the treatments available to help smokers overcome their addiction. 'Fast Facts: Smoking Cessation' meets these needs: here, in one place, you will find all the information you need on smoking, tobacco addiction and how best to treat the addiction. Ultimately, the best reason for reading this book is to help your patients who smoke to change their behavior for the better and sustainably. Every GP and support clinic will benefit from this edition, filled with tips, advice and treatment aids for the clinical team. Contents: • Cigarettes as a nicotine delivery system • Smoking patterns • Social, psychological and economic influences on smoking • Effects of smoking and smoking cessation • Addiction to cigarettes • The clinician and smoking • Treatments to aid smoking cessation • Future trends

Print+CourseSmart

Print+CourseSmart

Today, more than 10 million people in the United States require some form of long-term care, a number that is rapidly increasing and will continue to do so for years to come. This concise and user-friendly resource contains the fundamental information long-term care nurses need to provide all aspects of safe and effective care to their patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Written by a renowned and highly respected nurse leader in long-term care and gerontology, it presents key facts and core competencies related to the clinical and managerial responsibilities of nurses in these settings. Details on the specific skills required for this challenging specialty, as well as must-know information on regulatory standards, site visits, management and leadership, and dementia care, are presented in a concise format for quick access to information. The book embodies a holistic approach to nursing that recognizes the importance of quality of life in addition to quality of care. It provides an overview of the unique features of long-term care, addressing the operational differences between these settings and those of acute settings, the distinct responsibilities of long-term care nurses, special needs of the residents, and major clinical challenges. The text offers guidance on the use of evidence-based knowledge within the constraints of long-term care settings. Topics such as legal risks, documentation essentials, and the importance of self-care are covered, along with management and leadership issues relevant to the supervision of unlicensed personnel. The Fast Facts in a Nutshell feature assists readers in reinforcing and applying content, and a comprehensive resource list supplements the text. The book will also serve as a useful study tool for long-term nursing care certification. Key Features: Embodies the essential competencies for long-term care nursing practice Presents information in a concise easy-to-access format with bulleted facts and the Fast Facts in a Nutshell feature Addresses management and leadership issues germane to the long-term care setting Includes must-know information on regulatory standards, site visits, legal risks, documentation essentials, and more Guides nurses in using evidence-based knowledge in long-term care settings

The first book to address the care of dual-diagnosis patients in non-psychiatric settings Brimming with practical insights and strategies, this unique Fast Facts resource delivers concise, quick-access information about caring for patients with common physical complaints who also have a psychiatric diagnosis. It is the first book written for non-psychiatric nurses in multiple clinical settings to address the needs of patients with co-morbid diagnoses, and facilitates the integration of skills and strategies that support recovery for patients diagnosed with mental illness. Delivered in a convenient pocket-sized format, the guide delivers comprehensive information in easy-to-access short chapters, bulleted lists, tables, and figures, along with “Fast Facts in a Nutshell” boxes featuring key information. It covers the diagnoses of common psychiatric disorders and addresses the symptom alliance between various medical diagnoses and mental illness, and substance abuse and co-occurring mental disorders. Also included are strategies for establishing a therapeutic alliance with patients with psychiatric disorders and issues posing challenges for nurses in specific clinical settings. Additionally, the book explores the legal and ethical issues surrounding provision of care to patients with mental illness. Key Features: Delivers quick-access information about caring for patients with co-morbid diagnoses—the first book to do so Written for non-psychiatric nurses in a variety of clinical settings Presents key information in short chapters, bulleted content, lists, tables, and figures plus “Fast Facts” boxes Covers the diagnoses of common psychiatric disorders and de-stigmatizes patients with mental illness Provides strategies for fostering successful nursing interventions

"The book is clearly written and concise and uses sidebars to highlight core concepts." Score: 90, 4 stars --Doody's Because ER nurses need to think fast and act fast... Fast Facts for the ER Nurse is an orientation guide and reference, designed specifically for new ER nurses and the preceptors responsible for their orientation. The chapters provide a brief overview of equipment, treatments, and drugs used to manage common disorders and conditions frequently seen in the ER. Critical information presented in each chapter includes disorder definitions, signs and symptoms, interventions, and critical thinking questions. With this guide, nurses can get the information they need fast in bullet-point lists. Each chapter is conveniently organized alphabetically by disease and disorder for quick access. The book serves as an organized, reliable, and thorough ER guide, ensuring a structured approach to orientation. All new ER nurses and their preceptors will find this book to be a reference they cannot do without. Key topics covered include: Cardiovascular Emergencies Disaster Response Emergencies Infectious Disease Emergencies Mental Health Emergencies Shock and Multisystem Trauma Emergencies Substance Abuse and Toxicologic Emergencies And many more!

Our understanding of the mechanisms and management of cardiac arrhythmias has improved dramatically in recent years thanks to continuing basic research coupled with technological advances. 'Fast Facts: Cardiac Arrhythmias' translates this improved understanding into straightforward guidance for managing patients presenting with signs of cardiac arrhythmia. The third edition of this highly readable handbook has been thoroughly updated to include recent pharmacological advances, such as the gradual replacement of warfarin anticoagulation with the novel direct oral anticoagulants. Also discussed are technological advances, including the use of smartphone and smartwatch systems to record heart rhythms, and the latest thinking on catheter and surgical ablation. New chapters have been added on the management of syncope and sudden cardiac death. These complement well-illustrated chapters describing normal conduction within the heart, the underlying mechanisms of arrhythmias and general investigation and management principles, as well as chapters discussing the definition, causes, diagnosis and management of specific arrhythmias. Other highlights include chapters on the rare, but increasingly recognized, inherited arrhythmias, as well as on the use of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Of interest to primary care practitioners, nurses, medical students, technicians and cardiologists in training, this practical review of the mechanisms of heart rhythm abnormality and the contemporary therapies available provides a useful resource for improving patient care. Contents: • Normal conduction and mechanisms of arrhythmias • Presentation • Syncope • Sudden cardiac death • Investigation • Management principles • Supraventricular arrhythmias • Atrial flutter and atypical atrial flutter • Atrial fibrillation • Ventricular arrhythmias • Rare and inherited arrhythmias • Cardiac devices: pacemakers and defibrillators

Asthma is the world’s most common chronic respiratory condition, affecting over 350 million people worldwide and inflicting a heavy individual, social and economic burden of disease. In this rapidly changing field, a plethora of new inhaled therapies and devices have emerged, as well as a better understanding of disease phenotyping and biology. This fully updated fifth edition of 'Fast Facts: Asthma' discusses recent trends in an easy-reference format, while highlighting imminent new developments, to provide a valuable resource for general practitioners, specialist asthma nurses and others with a keen interest in improving the outcomes of the very many people living with asthma. Table of Contents: • Pathophysiology • Epidemiology, etiology and natural history • Diagnosis and classification • Asthma medications • Management principles • Severe and refractory asthma • Acute asthma attacks • Preventing asthma attacks • Asthma in special circumstances • Developments

Depression is both an overused term and, too often, a poorly managed condition. The authors have written this short text to help explain depression: its symptoms, causes, and risks; its impact; and how it can be identified, treated, and prevented. Depression is one of the commonest presenting problems in primary care, but all too often it is not identified and goes untreated. Yet, individuals who seek help for their depression – and whose healthcare professionals (HCPs) recognize it – can be treated effectively. For this to happen, HCPs need appropriate knowledge and skills, based on robust and up-to-date evidence, and to be supported by appropriate systems for service delivery. Table of Contents: • Overview • Definitions and diagnosis • Epidemiology and impact • Identification in clinical practice and prevention • Management • Women and depression • Combination with physical health problems • Self-harm and suicide